"Purely crunching the numbers, right now they're over by one," Kruelic said. "They don't have to be down to 82 until the start of next season, but I don't think it's a big problem. There's going to be someone who leaves the program. Natural attrition says that's going to happen. ... The other thing is they have 22 committed now, but they don't have to sign all 22 on national signing day. I think they will, but technically, they don't have to."

Not signing a committed prospect could pose problems down the road for Meyer. He likely is to sign all committed players Feb. 5.

More likely, an underclassman will leave the program after spring football. Ohio State has more than enough depth at running back and wide receiver.

It has been speculated that GlenOak running back Bri'onte Dunn could leave after spring football if he doesn't go into the season at least third on the depth chart.

Dunn received playing time as a true freshman, then didn't get on the field this year.

"There's been a lot of speculation about a number of players possibly transferring, and his name has come up," Kruelic said. "Someone will have to take over Carlos Hyde's job as a starter. You have Ezekiel Elliott, Warren Ball, Bri'onte, Rod Smith and that doesn't include guys coming in. You have to think someone may not be thrilled once you go through spring practice and he's third or fourth on the depth chart."

Meyer's offense has room for a bruising-type runner. Hyde proved a big back can excel in it.

Kruelic said Meyer typically wants 12 wide receivers on his roster, and that's with a full allotment of 85 scholarships.

Page 2 of 2 - "If you include slot receivers, which I do, they have 13 receiver-type prospects," Kruelic said.

Kruelic said Frank Epitropoulos is a bubble-type wide receiver. However, Epitropoulos is a scholar-athlete and from Columbus.

Meyer probably would like to keep an Ohio presence on his rosters. The 2014 class will have more out-of-state recruits than Ohioans.

Another way to get to the 82 scholarships is if a committed member of the 2014 class leaves. Offensive lineman Demetrius Knox, from Texas, committed to Ohio State but is taking a visit to UCLA. It remains to be seen if Meyer will honor the offer to Knox if he takes another visit.

The prized recruit is five-star linebacker Raekwon McMillan. The 6-foot-2, 242-pounder from Hinesville, Ga., already is enrolled and will take part in spring football. Meyer sees linebacker as a weakness on a defense that was exposed in the two losses at the end of the season.

Curtis Samuel is a 6-foot, 185-pounder who could play a role similar to the one Dontre Wilson played this year. At Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., Samuel was a slot receiver who at times took direct snaps at quarterback.